NCT06730113 · National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease: The Young at Heart Prospective Cohort Study
What this study is about
Background: Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects blood sugar levels. Complications can include heart and blood vessel (vascular) diseases. Rates of type 2 diabetes have tripled in children and young adults over the last 40 years. Vascular diseases are also increasing in young people.
View original scientific description
Background: Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects blood sugar levels. Complications can include heart and blood vessel (vascular) diseases. Rates of type 2 diabetes have tripled in children and young adults over the last 40 years. Vascular diseases are also increasing in young people. Objective: To learn more about factors, including type 2 diabetes, that may cause vascular disease in young people. Eligibility: People aged 12 to 25 years who (1) have type 2 diabetes; (2) are overweight but not diabetic; (3) or are lean and healthy. Biological parents are also needed. Design: Young participants will visit the NIH clinic once a year for up to 25 years. Each visit will take 4 days. Before each visit, participants will wear devices to track their sleep, activity, and blood sugar levels for 7 to 10 days. At each visit, participants will have tests including: Samples: They will provide blood, urine, and stool samples. Heart: They will ride a stationary bike for 6 minutes with stickers applied to their chest. Scans: They will lie on a bed that slides into a tube; the machine will take pictures of the inside of their body. Energy: They will wear a hood over their head to measure the air they breathe. Social stress: They will give a speech for 10 minutes to show their body s response to stress. Glucose: They will drink a sweet drink to see how their blood sugar changes. Biological parents will have 1 study visit. They will have blood tests. They will fill in questionnaires about their lifestyle and stress. ...
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet the following criteria according to their group: Four categories of participants will be included in this study and the inclusion criteria for each group are given below:
- Participants with Y-T2DM 1a.Age 12-25 years 1b.Type 2 diabetes mellitus as defined by fasting blood glucose \>= 126 mg/dL OR postprandial blood sugar \>= 200 mg/dL OR Hemoglobin A1c \>= 6.5% per American Diabetes Association Criteria and one element from the medical history consistent with ADA or AAP guidelines including: family history of diabetes and obesity, maternal or personal history of gestational diabetes, high-risk race and ethnicity, history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, physical inactivity, other clinical conditions associated with insulin resistance (e.g. severe obesity, acanthosis nigricans, prediabetes), small or large for gestational age birth weight, history of breastfeeding, gestational history of illicit drugs including alcohol, smoking OR documentation of type 2 diabetes diagnosed at \<=25 years of age with verified medical history (as above). 2\. Youth with overweight/ obesity (Y-OW) 2a. Age 12-25 years 2b. For participants \< 18 years of age, BMI \>= 85th percentile (overweight) and \>= 95th percentile (obesity) for age and sex OR 2c. For participants \>= 18 years of age, BMI \>=25\<30 kg/m\^2 (overweight) or \>=30 kg/m\^2 (obesity) 2d. Participants with obesity may have a diagnosis of prediabetes, defined as fasting blood glucose 100-125 mg/dL OR postprandial blood sugar 140-199 mg/dL OR HbA1c 5.7-6.4 percent (either during testing at NIH or as previously documented on outside medical record). 3\. Healthy control lean participants (Y-Lean) 3a. Age 12-25 years 3b. For participants \< 18 years of age, BMI \<= 85th percentile for age and sex OR 3c. For participants \>=18 years of age, BMI 18-24.99 kg/m\^2. 3d. HbA1c \<5.7 percent (either during testing at NIH or as previously documented on outside medical record). 4\. Biological parents of Y-T2DM, Y-OW and Y-Lean participants 4a. Biological parent of enrolled Y-T2DM, Y-OW and Y-Lean by self-report.
Exclusion criteria
- An individual who meets any of the following criteria for their specific group will be excluded from participation in this study: 1\. Y-T2DM, Y-OW and Y-Lean Participants: 1a. Type 1 diabetes or the presence of \>2 diabetes auto-antibodies (e.g., GAD-65, IA-2 antigen, Zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies).
- b. Medical, psychiatric or cognitive disorders that will, in the opinion of the investigators, limit the subject s ability to comply with study procedures (specific obesity-related comorbidities are explicitly permitted, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). 1c. Serious medical illnesses or diseases thought to alter metabolism (including moderate to severe renal disease (\< 30 mL/min/1.73m\^2), congenital heart disease, Cushing s syndrome, cancer, or other metabolic diseases associated with diabetes or excess weight). 1d. For participants enrolled at the NIH, dietary allergies, intolerances or eating patterns that would preclude them from consuming metabolic meals. 1e. Unwilling to comply with all study procedures or to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations throughout study duration. 1f. Pregnancy at the time of the screening visit. 1g. Clinically significant anemia OR Hematocrit below the lower limit of normal for age and sex cutoffs.
- h. For Y-OW Participants- Meet lab and medical history criteria for Y-T2DM as described in inclusion criterion 1b above. 2\. Y-Lean participants: In addition to the above exclusion criteria, any Y-Lean participant who meets any of the following additional criteria will be excluded from the study: 2a. Current use of prescription or non-prescription medication. Certain exceptions are permitted, including topical medications, vitamins, and hormonal contraceptives. Other medications may be permitted at the discretion of the investigators. 2b. Recent (past 2 months) use of drugs or supplements that alter glucose or lipid metabolism (e.g., niacin, fish oil, red yeast rice) 2c. History of diabetes or abnormal glucose tolerance 2d.. Abnormal screening labs, including the following: i) ALT or AST \>2 times the upper limit of normal ii) Glycosuria iii) Low eGFR (\<90 mL/min/1.73m\^2)Any other abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator, will increase risk to the subject from participation, or interfere with interpretation of study data 2e. Meet lab and medical history criteria for Y-T2DM as described in inclusion criterion 1b above. 3\. Biological Parents -No Exclusion Criteria
Where
- Washington D.C., District of Columbia
- Bethesda, Maryland
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 2, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations